Method of making handbag frames



May 31, 1938. F. J. QUIGAN 7 2,119,500

METHOD OF MAKING- HANDBAG FRAMES Filed April 6, 1957 y WW5 M Patented May 31, 1938 warren STATES PATENT OFFICE-1 n 2,119,500 METHOD OF MAKING HANDBAG FRAMES:

Frank J. Qliigan, Bayside, N. Y. Application April= 6, 1937, Serial No; 135,223

3 Claims. (01. 113 -1 16) This invention relates to a method of making handbag-frames, and has'for its primary object and purpose to provide a' method whereby the fabrication of' frame members of thetype in which one of the side walls is provided at its outer edge and throughout the length of said member-with "acontinuous transversely disposed flange maybe expeditiously fabricated from strip steel stock, so that an appreciable reduction in manufacturing costs of frames of this type is realized;

More particularly, my new method consists,

transverselybending the metalstrip along spaced longitudinal lines toprovide a "channel-therein, then transversely bending one longitudinal-edge portion of the strip along -a line tangent to the meeting ends-of said first 'namedconverging edges of the openings to provide aacontinuous transversely disposed flange, and -then bendingsaid flange at said meeting ends Ofthe-converging edges to provide an intermediate frame-sec'- tion and" end sections extending at right angles thereto and dispose the opposedconvergingedges of the frame walls in-abutting contact with each other. Y

The method further comprises the formation of tongues'intheframe strip projecting into each of the openings cut therein. and adapted to be subsequently bent over upon the base wall of the channel of one of theframe sections and welded thereto, whereby the abutting endsof the wallsof the frame sections are maintained inclose contact with each other.

With the aboveand other-objects in view; the invention consists in the improved method of making handbag frames, as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustratedin the accompanying drawing and subsequently incorporated in the'subjoine'dclaims. a

In the drawing wherein I haveillustratedthe several steps of my new method in a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which'similarreference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Fig. lis a plan view of a length of metal strip stockshowing the openings and tongues formedtherein, in the first step oftheimethod,

2 is -a side elevation showing the frame strip after it'has been bent into channel shaped form,

' Fig. 3' is a similarview-illustrating the follow-- ing step whereby the longitudinally continuoustransversefiange is formed on one of the frame Walls, I

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the completed frame member,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of twoof the frame members hingedly connected at their corresponding ends and constituting a complete bag frame,-

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 7 is a similar sectional view taken on the line 11 of Fig.4, and

Fig. 8 is a vertical'fragmentary sectional 'view' illustrating the method of permanently securing the adjoining ends of adjacent frame sections to each other.

Referringin detail'to' the drawing,'I have shown in Fig. 1 thereof, the fiat strip 'steeliblank 5, which is fed through the die stamping-or cutting machine from a reeland cuts'thestock into'sections of predetermined length and provides eachof said sections in properly spaced relation to the-ends thereof, with an opening of general-rec tangular' form. Each of these"openings'has'the' opposed edges 6 converging towardsonelongitudinal edge of the metal-strip, the-meeting ends I 1 of" said converging edges being suitablyspaced from said longitudinal edge of the strip. I

Each of said die cut openings inthe' metal strip also has the opposed edges 8" converging. towards each other and intersecting the other longitudinal edge of the strip 5-at their adjacent ends, which are suitably spaced apart, as indi cated at 9.

At one side of each opening, in the'metal strip and at the inner adjacent endsof one of the edges 6 and 8, the metal strip is formedwith-a tongue H] projecting longitudinally into the opening; At the inner ends of the other edges" 6"and8 and opposite to the tongue Hi, the metal stripis formed with the rectangular notch-or recess H;

Simultaneously with the cutting of said'spaced openings the frame length of metalstock "is' severed from thestrip and formed at each end thereof, with a longitudinally projecting tongue l2.

After the die stamping of the frame blank:

illustrated in Fig. 1, the movement thereof through the machine is continued"; and in the next operation'the strip 5' is transversely bent throughout its length-along the spacedparallel lines; indicated at whi'chc'oincide with the" opposite ends or corners of the notches ll. Thus 'the frame strip is formed into a channel l3, as seen in Fig. 6 of the drawing, said channel having one side wall l6 disposed at right angles to the base wall 15 of the channel, and the opposite side wall l6, which is relatively narrow at a short distance above the base wall If! is bent to extend outwardly in divergent relation from the wall I l.

In the following operation, the longitudinal edge portion of the wider channel wall l4 is transversely bent along the longitudinal line B which is tangent to the meeting ends I of the opposededges 6 at the ends of the intermediate and .end sections of the channel wall. I4; There is thus; formed a continuous transverse project 7 ing flange l'l'at the outer edge of the wall I4 the free edge of which is suitably spaced from the edge of the channel wall 16. as more clearly shown in Fig. '7 of the drawing. x

The channeled frame strip, as thus formed, consists of a longitudinal intermediate section and relatively short end sections integrally connected with each other only by the transverse flange IL The opposing end edges 8 of the walls l6 of said frame sections are positioned'in substantially parallel relation to, the opposed edges 6. of the walls M of said ;frame sections while the tongues ll'i proje ct, longitudinally from the base walls [5 of the frame sections. 7 v ;;After the flange ill is formed, as above described, the channeled frame strip is then positioned upon suitable supporting pins or rods engaged with said strip at the'meeting ends of the opposing edges 8 and in contact with the under side of the flange II." The relatively short end {sections D- of the frame strip are now bent downwardly with respect to'the long intermediate Q sectionC to extend at right angles to the latter.

V bent around the supporting pins or rods produces the rounded corners l8 at'the outer ends of. the

miter joints '6' and assures the unbroken integral .The' opposing edges 6-6 and 8-8 of the channel walls of said frame sections are thereby brought into substantially abutting contact; with each other. to form the miter joints as indicated at (if and 9 respectivelyp The flange ll as it is continuity, of the: flange ll'th'roughout the-length 7 of .the f rame sections C and D.

Thetongues l0 projecting from one of the frame fsections arenow bent over upon'base wall 0f the channel of the abutting framesection,

. saidltong'ue at the bend thereof being received 7 in the rectangular notch H. These tongues are' then securely'welded to the base walls of the abutting frame sections whereby close abutting contact of the channel walls of said frame sections is maintained and separation at the miter joints 6'* and 9 is effectually prevented.

The tongues or extensions I2 at the free ends of'the sections D of the frame member are now bent to form the cylindrical hinge knuckles '19. These knuckles receive suitable pintles whereby two complementary frame members are hingedly connected with each other at their corresponding ends in the conventional manner, as seen in Fig.5 of the drawing.

'From the above description it will be seen that I have devised a method of expeditiously making such bag frame members from strip steelstock which may be readily carried out by automatic 1 machinery. This method produces a channeled bag frame member having 'a' continuous transverse top flange projecting outwardly from the inner channel wall with accurately abutting contact of the channel walls at the miter joints be- 7 tween the horizontal intermediate section and the. vertical end sections or legs of the frame memher. The locking engagement of the tongues HI i in the notches II also relieves the Welds of excessive strains and effectively prevents any relative transverse shifting. of the frame sections at themiter joints 6' and9. Thus a substantial frame structure isproduced from relatively light.

steel strip stock and at comparatively low manufacturing cost. The bag or pouch fabric is con-c nected with the frame members in the usual manner, by inserting theedges thereof within the frame channel [3 beneath the flange I l, and then applying a compressing pressure against the ;channel walls l6v tosecur'ely clamp and hold the bag fabric within the frame channel. This fabi ric of course, extends over and completelyconcealsthe outer walls" |6-of the frame channel.

In the foregoing description, I have referred to a practical embodiment of my present invention which has given highly satisfactory results in practice. Nevertheless, itwill be understood that this same method might lee advantageously i employedin the production of bag frames or;

other outline contour or form than that shown inthe drawing, and'that minor mechanical variations might also be adopted in the details of construction of the frame. 'Therefore,' "it is to be understood that in these and other particu lars, I reserve the privilege of adopting such modifications or changes as may fairly be con scope'and spirit of the sidered to be within the appended claims.

I claimz i 1. In a method of making a bag frame memberi first cutting a blank from metal strip stock and forming longitudinally spaced substantially reoate and end sections, with the opposed ends of said sections having opposing edges "at each side of the longitudinal center line of the blank converging towards each other, the opposed edges at one side of said center line meeting at a point ltangular openings therein toprovide intermedi- Y in spaced relation to one longitudinal edge of the blank; and the other opposed converging edges intersecting'the opposite longitudinal edge of the blank at spaced points, then bending said blank throughout itslength along spaced parallel longitudinal line between said oppositely extending opposed converging edges of the blanksections to 'form the same into channel shape having opposite side walls of relatively different widths; i

then bending the longitudinaledge portion of'the first cutting a blank from metal strip stock and forming longitudinally spaced. substantiallyjrectangular openings therein to provide intermediate and end sections. with the opposed ends of said sections having opposed edges at each side of the longitudinal center lineof the blank converging towards each other, the opposededges at 'one side of said center line meeting at a point in spaced 7 wider channel wall along a longitudinal line tan relation to one longitudinal edge of the blank 7' and the other opposed converging edges interai I secting the opposite longitudinal edge of the blank at spaced points, then bending said blank throughout its length along spaced parallel longitudinal lines between said oppositely extending opposed converging edges of the blank sections to form the same into channel shape having opposite side walls of relatively different widths, then bending the longitudinal edge portion of the wider channel wall along a longitudinal line tangent to the meeting ends of said first named opposed converging edges of the strip section to form a continuous flange, then positioning the frame strip upon spaced supporting rods in contact with the underside of said flange at the meeting ends of said opposed converging edges, and then bending the flange around said supports to dispose the end sections at an angle to the intermediate section and position the opposed converging edges of the walls of said frame sec" tions in substantially abutting contact with each other.

3. In a method of making a bag frame member, first cutting a blank from metal strip stock and forming longitudinally spaced substantially rectangular openings therein to provide intermediate and end sections, with the opposed ends of said sections having opposing edges at each side of the longitudinal center line of the blank converging towards each other, the opposed edges at one side of said center line meeting at a point in spaced relation to one longitudinal edge of the blank and the other opposed converging edges intersecting the opposite longitudinal edge of the blank at spaced points, and simultaneously forming the opposed ends of said sections with complementary interlocking parts, then bending said blank throughout its length along spaced parallel longitudinal lines between said oppositely extending opposed converging edges of the blank sections to form the same into channel shape having opposite side walls of relatively different widths, then bending the longitudinal edge portion of the wider channel wall along a longitudinal line tangent to the meeting ends of said first named opposed converging edges of the strip sections to form a continuous flange, and then bending said flange between said sections to dispose the end sections of said strip at an angle to the intermediate section and position the opposed converging edges of the side walls of said frame sections in substantially abutting contact with each other, and then permanently securing said complementary parts at the abutting ends of the frame sections in interlocking engagement with each other to prevent relative displacement of said abutting ends of the frame sections.

FRANK J. QUIGAN. 

